Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-01-06


he had spent his evenings for few
months over an Italian grammar. He
costriyed 10 let this fact be known, and
in due time Mr.. Parr informed his senior
partner that sit seemed young Mathers
knew something of the language"
This decided the point. Tommy re-
ceiyed his orders, and in three days more
found himself on board the Dover and
Calais packet, in charge of large dis
patch-box and Mr.. Hodgson's bulky port
manteaps. The journey was by no means
a comfortable one, for the young man
found that he WIS expected to travel sec
ond class and generally act as courier TO
his employer. When at last Turin was
reached. things we're no better, Mathers
found that his Italian went but a very lit
tie way; and, besides, he had to do the
work of three clerks. Sometimes he was
TEN pied 70 regret that he had left his
comfortable rooms in TorringtOn's
square. Bloomsbury; but in his calmer
moments he reflected that at least he was
occupying a different position from that
Of the rest of his fellow clerks.
The chief man in TuriH, so far as
Hodgsou, Dumford, and Parr we're con
cerned, was certain Count Marsoni.
The counts nobility did not prevent his
being the principal member Of large
firm Of merchants and shipowners. To
cultivate this man, was, indeed, the chief
reason of Mr.. Hodgson's Journey TO
Turin: and as tho old banker knew very
well how TO lay aside his crusty and pom
pous manner when IL suited his book 20
do So he soon came 10 be not unfre-
queut guest at the Villa MorsonI.
Mr.. Hodgson began to see that there
was a very fair opening for an English
bank at TORN, and he was still engaged
in pushing his way here and there, when
he received news that his wife was seri-
ously III. This made him hurry off TO
England, leaving Mathers behind him TO
conn lete a transaction which he had al
ready practically arranged.
Delighted at being left TO represent the
hrm, for ever so short time and ever 20
formal a matter, Mathers was facing one
day down the principal street of the city
With look of considerable Importance
on his face, when he met Count Marsoni.
The count stopped and asked after the
old banker, when Tommy proudly in
formed him that he had returned to Eng
land, leaving him in charge of the affairs
of the firm.
"Ah, indeed! Wen, there's little mat
ter wanted to speak Of to him"
81 shall be happy TO serve you, count, ~
said Tommy in his very best Italian.
well suppose you dine with Us to-
night, ana we can talk IL over after din
ner," returned the count, who thought he
ought 20 show little attention to the
lonely Eugishmau.
OF course the invitation was accepted,
Tommy had no sooner entered the draw
ing room at the villa Marsoni than he
lost his heart at once, irreyocably and
forever. Maria Marsoni was, indeed
beautiful and yivacious enough TO to have
turned the head OF wiser and colder
blooded ran than Tommy Mathers; and
so ready was he to amuse her by his eff
forts 20 speak a language that he partial
ly knew, that he won more favor in the
eyes than many a more brilliant
talker would have done. Such an impress
sion, indeed, did the signorina's bright
eyes make upon Tommy's susceptible
heart that he was barely able to give due
attention 20 the count when, after din
nuer he began TO talk Of bills, discounts,
and debentures.
Time went on; Mr.. Hodgson did not
return 20 Turin, and Mr. Mathers paid
several visits to the counts residence,
coming away more in love every time.
Meanwhile, by dint of going about
among the citizens the young
man was able to send homo a good list of
prospective customers that the partners
80 establish branch office at
Turin, and offer young Mathers subor-
dlnate post in It.
Nothing definite, however, had oeen
fixed, when one day Tommy, finding
Maria Marsoni alone when he called at the
villa, lost his head completely, and was
making love as well as his imperfect
knowledge of Italian permitted when the
count, suddenly coming in, caught him IN
The act OF kissing his daughters hand.
Maria He'd like % hare disturbed on her
form. and the count advanced with a
heavy frown on his aristocratic brow.
More as a matter of form than any
thing else fer he knew his case was hone
less, Nathers formally asked the hand of
the siEuorina in marriage, laying the
blame OF his irregular declaration on
the strength of his passion and his ignOr-
ance OF Italian etiquette.
The count heard him 20 the end, and
then surveyed him from head to foot with
a look of contempt
Its a piece OF gross presumption in
in you "A mere clerk, q nobody-to ud-
dress my daughter" said the count at
length in English, with his chin in the
air.
"Of course said Tommy, bitterly,
stung by the counts look, III l were
partner in Hodg-on's, though you would
give me "a different answer"
"lf you were q partner in Messrs. Hodg
son, Dunford d PARIS, said the count,
with au altered expression, "that would
make difference, OF course; but as / do
not understand that you have any pros
pect of entering that firm, | don't see
how that affects YOU
Tommy sighed, and made his escape rs
soon as possible. tie knew that he might
as well ask for the lord ohaucellorship rs
ask for a partnership in the bank.
For two days he remained in p state of
and then he received advices
from London Informing him OF the de
cisiou 30 which tine drm had come with
respect 90 tie new branch. 4 few months
before Mathers would have been trans,
pO~ted with delight nj the trpnosal which